Information disclosure opens space for citizens to participate in city development: KI

The Jakarta Information Commission (KI) has stated that information disclosure is not merely an administrative obligation for public bodies, but a crucial instrument to open space for citizen participation in city development and governance. “With information disclosure, the public is not just a recipient of information, but also has the space to participate in development,” said Ferid Nugroho, Commissioner of the DKI Jakarta Information Commission, in an official statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday. Ferid said the public is one of the important foundations for encouraging participation in Jakarta’s development. Therefore, access to clear, accurate, and easy information is needed so that the public not only knows about government policies but also helps oversee and participate in their implementation. Furthermore, Ferid stressed the importance of supporting digital information systems and professional human resources in public services. According to him, the digitalisation of various government services in Jakarta, which is increasingly moving towards a paperless system, must be accompanied by easy access to information for the public. Ferid cited examples of government programmes that directly affect the community, such as School Operational Assistance (BOS) and Direct Cash Assistance (BLT). This information needs to be conveyed openly so that the public understands their rights, the mechanisms, and the benefits of the programmes provided by the government. “Information disclosure encourages transparency, while accountability ensures responsibility. Both must go hand in hand with public participation to realise good governance,” he said. Meanwhile, Central Information Commission Commissioner Edi Purwanto affirmed that the public’s right to obtain information is a constitutional right guaranteed by Article 28F of the 1945 Constitution and Law Number 14 of 2008 concerning Public Information Disclosure. “In principle, public information is open. The public has the right to know information, including about budgets managed by the government because they come from the people’s money. If the required information has not been announced, the public can submit a request through the PPID,” said Edi. He explained that public bodies are obliged to provide information services in accordance with the provisions. Meanwhile, exempted information is strictly and limitedly regulated as stated in Article 17 of the Public Information Disclosure Law. Edi also reminded the public to actively exercise their right to information, including knowing about public budget management. If the required information is not yet available, the public can submit an information request to the PPID according to the applicable mechanism. On the same occasion, the DKI Jakarta Communication, Informatics, and Statistics Agency (Diskominfotik) continues to encourage easily accessible public information services through various channels and mechanisms.